[Update: Dec. 7, 2011 - Got a Google Alert today for the phrase "AVL Marketing" being used by this site: http://www.avlmarketing.net/ I don't know who they are but the site says they do "text alerts" and other mobile advertising. If you're get billed this may be who to contact.]

[Update: I was interviewed by David Lazarus at the LA Times about this shortly after this blog article was posted. Read his article about these crooks.]

It could be a coincidence, but either way someone is using the name “AVL Marketing” to commit fraud via mobile phone charges, and it’s causing pain. At best they are using deceptive sales practices, and/or allowing anyone to add a mobile phone number to their billing without verification.

If you’re reading this because you are being billed $9.99 on your mobile phone for some text service you did not want, we are not the company doing that. Unfortunately, there is another company using the name “AVL Marketing.” Even though that is the name on your bill, good luck finding the evil “AVL Marketing” on the web.

I suggest you submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, as some of the people contacting us have done already. Also consider the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

• https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
• http://www.ic3.gov/

In recent months we have been contacted by hundreds of people complaining that “AVL Marketing” is charging them but they insist they have never signed up or otherwise authorized this. After to speaking to several angry people by phone and replying to innumerable emails I have been able to get a little more information. Here’s what I know so far… Continue reading →